Great Southern Adventure

September 27-30, 2017

The “Great Southern Adventure” will travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, and tackle the famed Tail of the Dragon.

The adventure starts in Asheville, NC and leads to Braselton, GA – just in time for the Atlanta Concours – with top-rated accommodations, fine dining, wine tasting, relaxation, camaraderie, some of the most amazing roads in America, our special stage, and memorable moments every step of the way.

Following on the heals of our successful “California Adventure”, comes the next event in the 2017 Drive Toward a Cure calendar: the “Great Southern Adventure.” What could be better than driving your favorite car along the many beautiful and challenging back roads and byways of the south east in late September? Perhaps doing it with your fellow drivers! Classics and exotics together, for the love of driving blended with raising funds for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Cars and camaraderie — driving has never meant more!

The Itinerary

Join us for this all-inclusive*, three night, three-day driving adventure with all of the logistical details handled.

Gathering: Wednesday, September 27

The “Great Southern Adventure” starts in Asheville, NC on the evening of Wednesday, September 27 where we will gather to kick off the next Drive Toward a Cure event! A relaxed cocktail reception and dinner at the Golden Fleece in Grovewood Village – on the Omni Grove Park Inn property – serve as the backdrop for the camaraderie that is at the heart of the Drive Toward a Cure philosophy. Stroll with a glass of wine, enjoy The Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village, get to know your organizing team, gain further insight into the program for the coming days, and get to know your fellow drivers too.

Day One: Thursday, September 28

The first of two nights at The Omni Grove Park Inn sets us up for a day that loops out of and back into Asheville for an exhilarating dive into the Blue Ridge Mountains, punctuated by breakfast, an exclusive gourmet lunch stop at the spectacular Linville Ridge Country Club, and a second evening cocktail reception and dinner.

Day Two: Friday, September 29

We start our second day of driving by fueling up with a delicious breakfast before we bid farewell to Asheville. Our journey toward the home of the Road Atlanta race circuit – Braselton, GA – will take us into the Smoky Mountains and onto one of America’s truly epic roads – a famous stretch that features 318 curves in just 11 miles. Rest up over lunch at an iconic stop in this part of the world before we continue the journey to Chateau Elan for our third reception and dinner at this highly acclaimed vineyard resort. The evening will be capped off by a raffle, our silent auction, and awards.

Day Three: Saturday, September 30

The complete itinerary is still being fine-tuned, but it’s no mistake that the adventure will conclude on Saturday, coinciding with the kickoff of the young and vibrant Atlanta Concours! Stay tuned for more details.

Atlanta Concours VIP

Atlanta Concours VIP Weekend Passes, specially designed for Drive Toward a Cure participants, are now being offered individually in case you or your navigator prefer to take in a round of golf or the amazing Chateau Élan spa facilities, while the other emerses themselves in the magnificent displays of the Atlanta Concours. Learn what’s included!

Chateau Élan

Opt for an additional night at Chateau Élan to take in the Atlanta Concours, explore the Braselton area further, or just take a break before your return home. Take in the Chateau Élan Winery’s French provincial elegance and Southern hospitality, a full service European spa, championship golf, and world class amenities, located just forty minutes from Atlanta.

Hagerty Plus® Roadside Service

For our Great Southern Adventure, Hagerty has generously agreed to cover all participants with Hagerty Plus® Roadside Service and Benefits during the event dates. Hagerty Plus is a comprehensive full-service roadside assistance program designed specifically for classic cars. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s only for classics; whatever car you bring on the Drive Toward a Cure Great Southern Adventure event will be provided with Hagerty Plus for the duration of the event, thanks to Hagerty.

Drive Toward a Cure for Parkinson’s Disease

Of course, let’s not forget the raison d’être of our not-for-profit program: The Drive Toward a Cure program has been carefully designed to provide a premium experience while raising much-needed funds to continue the search for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, while also supporting patient care. Learn more about our beneficiaries, The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Parkinson’s Institute.

Reserve Your Spot!

Cost — US $5,000 per car/couple.

Effective 9/21, registrations are subject to availability at our event hotels and restaurants. Online payment must be received prior to our confirming availability so that we may commit to our host venues. Registrations that cannot be accommodated will be refunded in full.

One hotel room for two people, with either one king or two double beds, in a highly-rated property for three nights. (A second room can be added during registration for an additional fee.)

Breakfast, lunch and dinner for two people for the duration* – Wednesday evening through Saturday morning.

Cocktail receptions for two people.

Special stage/autotest event(s) at a private venue(s) along the route.

Drive Toward a Cure decal pack for the car.

Drive Toward a Cure commemorative items and sponsor giveaways.

Commemorative, full-color road book.

Full event logistics and organization.

Luggage transportation between the starting and finishing hotel properties**.

Event liability insurance.

* Not including alcoholic drinks, unless specified in the official itinerary for the event, or any special requests.
** If needed and subject to prior arrangement. Intended for one carry-on-size case per person; please contact us if your needs may exceed this.